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What is the WWW? | How it works | Browser software | Web Browser Tips: customizing, bookmarks, printing & saving, troubleshooting | Communication | Supplemental Links
Communication Tools The web makes using other Internet communication technologies like e-mail, chat, and Usenet news easier that it used to be, because there are Web sites that incorporate these applications, without requiring you to obtain additional software. In addition, these web-based communication tools are usually free. Email sites
Chat sites Chat servers allow you to visit in real time with others anywhere in the world. Java-enabled browsers like Netscape and Internet Explorer versions 3 or higher allows you to chat using Java chat servers, directly from a web site, without downloading any special software. You will find chat services on many commercial sites. Some may be completely public, others may be there for specific purposes. Chat sites all have rules—some very lenient, some more restrictive. Some sites are monitored constantly, and others rarely if at all. Free Chat sites
Youth love to chat. Finding safe locations for them to do so is a concern. The National 4-H web site maintains a youth-friendly chat server, but it is only moderated at certain times. The address for that site is: http://www.4-h.org/chat/index.html Usenet News Usenet News is a huge, worldwide network of newsgroups on thousands of topics. It is sometimes described as a distributed bulletin board system. There is probably a newsgroup related to your interest area and, incidentally, every topic you or anyone else can think of. Newsgroups cover the gamut of topics. Keep an open mind when you see topic areas remember that peoples' values differ. If a topic offends you, don't go there. Like mailing lists, newsgroups have generally accepted norms and each develops a distinct culture. The best way to fit in with the group is to read its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. You can access newsgroups using news reader software, which is packaged with most browsers. Alternatively, you can visit web-based news sites like Deja.com http://www.deja.com/usenet/. Read more about newsgroups from Deja.com by going to the Deja.com Discussion site, then looking for help for new users. Read about newsgroups, and then search for topics you're interested in.
The Master Internet Volunteer Program was developed by the University of Minnesota Extension Service and was adapted for use in North Dakota with permission. Copyright © 2000 North Dakota State University. All rights reserved. North Dakota State University Extension Service |
